BOMBAY—AN ISLAND. CITY 


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NATIONAL BOARD a 
YOUNG WOMEN’S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION, 
_ 600 Lexineton Ave., New York Crry 
1914 


BOMBAY—AN ISLAND CITY 


EAUTIFUL Bombay is located on an island of the Indian ocean from 
B which the hilly mainland is visible in the distance. It is the port 
through which Europeans usually enter India. It is a city of ight and 
color, of class and creed, of wealth and poverty. It is built of brick and stone. 
The bazaar or Indian business section of the city is densely populated. Here 
the native dealer may be seen sitting on his cushion and attending to his cus- 
tomers without rising. The vehicles in the street are motors, gharis drawn by 
horses, bullock and goat carts. A considerable portion of the business people 
are Parsees. They came to India twelve centuries ago, and more than any 
other race of India have adopted Western ideals and customs. Their women 
are especially emancipated from the binding systems of religion prevailing in 
India. The Hindus and Mohammedans are more enlightened than their 
fellow religionists in country districts. 

The English population has for its recreation clubs, yachting, golf, tennis 
and music. 

The English formerly inhabited the higher portion of the island, but it is now 
being occupied by well-to-do Indians, who have learned that health and life 
depend upon proper housing conditions. They have separated themselves 
from the crowded Indian section of Bombay, which is often swept by disease 
and pestilence. 


SOCIAL AND RELIGIOUS CLASSES 


The social division of races in India is not confined to the Indian population. 
People from the West have distinct social classes according to the rank of the 


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husband or father in the army, in government service, or in other occupations. 
The wife and daughter of a manufacturer, of a bank director and of a shop- 
keeper move in different social circles. In addition to these definite and so- 
cially adjusted groups, women of Anglo-Indian birth form another class, whose 
social and industrial needs are recognized by government and by society. 
Unlike the United States, where a man’s faith is usually not visible in any 
peculiarity of dress, action or speech, it 1s possible in India to clearly define 
the social rank and religious faith of practically every man or woman in the 
passing throng. Moham- 
medans and Parsees have 
their special head-dress. 
Hindu men and women 
have painted caste marks 
upon their forehead. Re- 
ligious devotees are often 
marked by the absence of 
conventional clothing. 
The British rulers by their 
uniform and insignia make 
possible a general classifi- 
cation, while the liveried 
servant who drives his 
mistress’ carriage, or 
stands waiting her com- 
mands, is indicative of his 
mistress’ social standing. A BULLOCK CART. 


ACTIVITIES 


The Association has a membership of 775, with a net increase during 1913 
of eighty-seven members. The secretarial staff numbers four, of whom two 
are from the United States. 

Bombay owns its own building in which are found the Central Branch (or 
Institute) occupying the first floor of the building; the second floor is used as a 
hostel for missionary and other guests, while the two upper floors are given to 
the occupancy of self-supporting girls—charges for lodging varying according 
to the income of the young woman, (from $4.80 to $9.60 per month). 


GOVERNMENT AID 


It is characteristic of the British government, which holds itself neutral on 
religious matters In India, to grant aid to educational work and enterprises 
which show themselves practical in the development of the people. 

The government has established for the Bombay Association fifteen ‘‘ap- 
prenticeships,”’ 7. e., scholarships, for young women students who are learning 
to be stenographers. The services of stenographers are much in demand and 
of the forty who were enrolled in the commercial classes last year, twenty-one 
secured ‘‘posts’’ (positions), at a beginning salary of $19.20 per month. More- 
over, the government gave a “grant’’ (contribution) to the maintenance of 
the commercial classes. The aid of the government includes also the visits 
and advice of the “inspectress of schools.”” The young women in the classes 
are required to pass government examinations in order to secure their certifi- 
cates. 


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CLASS IN COMMERCIAL BRANCHES 


=) 


EDUCATIONAL DEPARTMENT 


In addition to these commercial branches the Bombay Association has 
classes in English and Hindustani, in the making of ‘‘sweets’’ (candies), in 
physical exercises and in literature. ‘‘Monsoon classes’”’ are also listed in the 
recent annual report. These classes are short-term studies, which are held 
during the time of the monsoon, the periodic wind that brings heavy continuous 
rainfall. 


THE INSTITUTE 


At headquarters (called the Central Institute) activity prevails. Thirty- 
three socials with an attendance of seventeen hundred and seventy young 
women have been held the past year; four hundred and fifty paying guests 
have been entertained. Ten lectures and conferences have been held. An 
employment bureau has had the welfare of the three hundred and fourteen 
women under advisement; in some cases it has meant the securing-of pass- 
age to England either as nurse or as companion to some traveler. When 
request has been made, boats and trams have been met by the secretaries. 
The Institu‘e is also the center of club life, the young women of the twelve clubs 
devoting themselves to various activites. One group made one hundred and 
twenty garments to give to charitable institutions. The social service club is 
making a study of civic conditions. Business girls meet for outings and rec- 
reation. Girl Guides (ana ogous to Camp Fire girls), include young women 
between the ages of fourteen and eighteen. 

A group of young girls from six to ten form the group that in years to come 
will be the most enthusiatic leaders in Association activities. The weekly 


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Bible classes number twelve with a total enrollment of two hundred and ninety- 
seven. During the year three hundred and fifty-six gospel services have been 
held with an average attendance of forty; this makes an audience of fourteen 
thousand, two hundred and forty women. 


INDUSTRY 


A unique form of industrial work is carried on in Bombay. Four Bible 
women (that is women, usually of limited education, trained to teach the Bible) 
visit among the thousands of low caste women employed in the cotton mills of 
Bombay. The shortest day in these mills is twelve hours in length and the 
day is spent in hot steam-dampened rooms. The majority of women work 
from sunrise to sunset, a day of fourteen hours or more under the tropic sun. 
During the past year these Bible women gave the message of God to eight 
thousand, six hundred and fifteen women in seven mills. They also made 
calls to the number of five hundred and ninety on the women in their primitive 
abodes. 


SUMMER HOME 


Bombay has a charming hill station, 7. e., summer cottage, about four hours 
distant by rail from the city. The home is kept open nine months of the year. 
It is not self-supporting, the members paying about thirty-three cents a day 
for entertainment. A higher charge is made to missionary and other guests, 
which helps in its maintenance. Near this home the Girl Guides have their 
camp in the woods. 

In the summer home a “camp,” that is a conference, was held during the 

holidays for school girls. In the work with the school girls and Girl Guides 


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there is an effort to teach the dignity of labor—Oriental training makes labor 
with the hands a thing to be despised. 


SCATTERED BRANCHES 


The city of Bombay is of such extent that all the work cannot be conducted 
in the Central Institute. Nine branches are scattered about the area of the 
city, their primary object being for Bible study and daily readings, which are 
provided by the British foreign department. Some of these are conducted in 
the Indian vernacular. Beside the Bible classes there are several Dorcas so- 
cieties, and classes in First Aid and nursing. 


WORK AMONG STUDENTS 


The student work in Bombay is carried on by the University Missionary 
Settlement. This settlement is supported by the British College Christian 
Union, the organization in the British colleges analogous to the Young Men’s 
and Young Women’s Christian Associations. Its work is among Parsee young 
women who are generally educated. The matron of the Student Hostel is a 
Parsee. Four British workers give their time to this work. 

The settlement conducts clubs among students in seven schools and colleges. 
It has also a central club whose matron is a Parsee young woman, who has 
accepted Christianity and whose influence is very great among the student 
women of the city. 


oO 


ENTS 


PARSEE STUD 


STEPS FORWARD 


At the annual meeting in January, 1914, Lady Willingdon, wife of the Gov- 
ernor of Bombay Presidency, was presiding officer. The fact that during the 
year 1913 young women were refused admittance to the hostel, and that the 
waiting list is already long, that the accommodation for visiting guests is not 
sufficient, was made very prominent in the meeting and the first steps were 
taken toward a campaign for securing funds for an additional building. The 
present building is suffering deterioration in its construction owing to tropical 
climatie conditions and must be extensively rebuilt. 

The secretarial force during 1913 was reduced by the resignation of two of 
its number. ‘There is now need in Bombay for a teacher of Domestic Science. 

The study of civic conditions which has been so well accomplished by the 
Calcutta Graduates’ Union for its own city suggests that a like study will be a 
feature of this year’s work in Bombay. 

The movement for Girl Guides is increasing in popularity, and the use of the 
summer home becomes increasingly more possible. 

The more liberal policy of the government to women’s education led by In- 
dian members of the government argues an increase in educational work. 

Every step in the progress of Indian womanhood places fresh responsibility 
and increased privilege upon the Bombay Association. 


JUNIORS—THE FUTURE HOPE OF INDIA 


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